RSVP

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "RSVP" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when requesting a response to an invitation. Example: "Please RSVP by Friday." Alternative expressions include "Please respond" and "Kindly reply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Then we place these outgoings versus what we might gain feasibly for schlepping there and we RSVP.

Independent

We're not sure we'll ever find out, because there isn't a chance in hell we'd ever RSVP.

Independent

The talk begins at 6 30 (you can RSVP at [email protected]), and Thomas will be signing books afterward.

The New Yorker

At 3 p.m., McCarren Park, Bedford Avenue at North 12th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, northsidefestival.com; RSVP tickets required, but entry guaranteed with festival badge ($80 to $260 remaining).

The New York Times - Arts

Doors open at 7 p.m., House of Vans, 25 Franklin Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, vans.com/houseparties; free with RSVP.

The New York Times - Arts

Thursday at 6 p.m., Florence Gould Hall, French Institute Alliance Française, 55 East 59th Street, Manhattan, [phone]; free with RSVP.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

But the former Arkansas governor RSVP-ed first.

The Guardian

Saturday at 6 p.m., a screening of "Harlem Is Theater," a documentary about the history of theater in Harlem by Jamal Joseph; $5; reservations: [email protected] or [phone].

The New York Times

(The public can r.s.v.p. at vice.com/rsvp).com/rsvp

The New York Times

That architect was Brian Ripel, a partner in the young Brooklyn firm RSVP Architecture Studio, who welcomed the constraints of renovating a space with low ceilings and little flexibility on the location of plumbing and other services.

The New York Times

R.S.V.P. to [email protected].... On Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., the Danish designer Henrik Vibskov will salute the Brooklyn label Suzanne Rae as the newest addition to his SoHo emporium.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "RSVP" as a verb for concise instructions, as seen in many Ludwig examples like "you can RSVP at [email protected]".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "Please RSVP" if you are writing for a strictly formal audience, as "RSVP" stands for "Répondez s'il vous plaît", which already contains the word "please". While common in modern English, using "Kindly RSVP" or just "RSVP" is technically more precise.

How to use

Learn how to use "RSVP" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

In English, "RSVP" functions primarily as an intransitive verb or a noun. Ludwig AI demonstrates its use as a directive in invitations to solicit a response regarding attendance. It is frequently followed by the prepositions "to" or "by".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academic

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Based on the 53 exact matches analyzed, "RSVP" remains the definitive standard for requesting event responses in English. Ludwig AI highlights its versatility as both a verb and a noun, used extensively in high-authority media like The New York Times and The Guardian. While technically a French loanword, it is fully integrated into English grammar. Writers should feel confident using it in both formal and informal invitations, though specifying a response method (email, website, or form) and a deadline is recommended for clarity. Despite the technical redundancy of "Please RSVP", this usage is widely accepted in all but the most pedantic circles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Please respond

More direct English alternative to the French initialism

Kindly reply

Slightly more polite and traditional tone

Confirm your attendance

Focuses specifically on the act of confirming presence

Reply by

Used specifically when emphasizing a deadline

Accept or decline

Explicitly requests a binary choice

Send a confirmation

Phrases the request as a task for the recipient

Let us know if you can make it

Informal and conversational variant

Register your attendance

Common for professional events or webinars

Book your spot

Implies limited availability or a ticketed event

Answer back

Very informal and rarely used in written invitations

FAQs

What does RSVP stand for?

It is an initialism derived from the French phrase "Répondez s'il vous plaît", which translates literally to "Reply if you please" or simply "Please respond".

How do I use RSVP in a sentence?

You can use it as a verb, for example: "Please <a href="/s/confirm+your+attendance" target="_blank" rel="alternative">confirm your attendance by Friday" or "They have yet to RSVP to the invitation".

What can I say instead of RSVP?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/please+respond" target="_blank" rel="alternative">please respond", "<a href="/s/kindly+reply" target="_blank" rel="alternative">kindly reply", or "<a href="/s/let+us+know" target="_blank" rel="alternative">let us know" depending on the context.

Is RSVP a noun or a verb?

In modern English, it functions as both. As a verb, you might say "I need to RSVP", and as a noun, you might say "We are still waiting for your RSVP".